Embark on a quest to elevate your armaments in Elden Ring with the elusive Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones. These legendary items are essential for pushing your weapons to their ultimate potential, but their scarcity makes them a coveted treasure for any Tarnished adventurer. From the frozen peaks of the Mountaintops of the Giants to the treacherous depths of Crumbling Farum Azula, our guide reveals all 13 locations where these powerful stones can be found. Prepare to unlock the secrets of weapon enhancement and dominate the Lands Between!
How many Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are in the game?
In Elden Ring, players can find a total of 21 Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones throughout their journey. Specifically, 13 stones are available in the base game, while an additional 8 stones can be found in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. These rare upgrade materials are essential for enhancing weapons to their maximum level of +25, making them crucial for players looking to optimize their armaments. Each playthrough allows for the collection of these stones, but players must enter New Game+ to acquire more after reaching the limit in a single run.
There are 13 Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones required to max upgrade regular weapons, and 8 Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones required to max upgrade special weapons. If you collect them all, you can only get more by starting New Game Plus. On this page of the guide we have listed all available Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones.
Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone list
The Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone is a crucial upgrade material in Elden Ring, enabling players to enhance their weapons to the maximum level of +25. Unlike regular smithing stones, these rare items are limited in number, with only 13 available in a single playthrough. Each stone can be found in specific locations throughout the game, often requiring players to defeat formidable enemies or complete intricate questlines. This guide provides a comprehensive list of all Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone locations, helping players efficiently seek out these powerful resources to optimize their armaments.
- You’ll receive this stone as a reward for completing the Nepheli Loux questline. You can miss it – the stone will become unavailable if you gave Nepheli the Seluvis’s potion as ordered during the Seluvis questline.
- You can purchase this stone from Gatekeeper Gostoc for 20,000 runes after completing the Nepheli Loux questline. You can find the merchant in the throne room of Stormveil castle, next to the site of grace of Godrick the Grafted. You can miss it – the stone will become unavailable if you gave Nepheli the Seluvis’s potion as ordered during the Seluvis questline, or if you killed Gostoc.
- You’ll receive this stone as a reward for completing the Sorceress Sellen questline by allying with Witch-Hunter Jerren. You can miss the stone – if you ally with Sellen and kill Jerren.
- You’ll receive this stone as a reward for completing the Gurranq Beast Clergyman questline, or for killing him. If you kill him before feeding him all the deathroots, you won’t get the other rewards he’s offering you.
- You’ll find this stone in the Mountaintops of the Giant, near the site of grace, Church of Repose. There is a huge skull to the south-east of the Church. The stone is located in the jaw.
- You’ll find this stone in Consecrated Snowfield, north of the site of grace of the same name. At night, the Night Cavalry boss, appears there, guarding a passing caravan. For beating them, you’ll receive a stone.
- You’ll find this stone in Consecrated Snowfield, in the Yelough Anix Tunnel. Instead of heading towards the boss, jump down the holes in the tunnel, going deeper underground. Eventually you’ll encounter a strong opponent wielding gravity magic – defeat him or bypass him. The stone is located next to the corpse near this opponent.
- You’ll find this stone in Consecrated Snowfield, near the Cave of the Forlorn. To the east of the cave entrance, there is a frozen waterfall where you can find the bossGreat Wyrm Theodorix. The stone is on the rocks above the boss.
- You’ll find this stone in Miquella’s Haligtree. Go forward from the site of grace, Haligree Town. When you reach the end of the path and the ladder leading down, don’t go down – jump down to the rooftop in front of you, then cross the wooden footbridge. The stone is next to the corpse on a circular platform, guarded by the Misbegotten Warrior.
- You’ll find this stone in Miquella’s Haligtree. First you must defeat Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree boss. Defeating her will unlock the path forward and the site of grace, Haligtree Promenade. Go forward, descend the spiral staircase, and then down the ladder. You are now at the tower – climb the stairs to reach the top. The stone is in the chest at the top of the tower.
- You’ll find this stone in Crumbling Farum Azula, near the site of grace, Crumbling Beast Grave. Heading west, you’ll quickly come across a long, sloping, arch-shaped platform. As you pass through, a dragon will attack you. Defeat him and you’ll receive the stone.
- You’ll find this stone in Crumbling Farum Azula, near the Dragon Temple Altar site of grace, after defeating the Godskin Duo boss. From the site of grace, go through the small door on the left and proceed down the levitating platforms. After reaching the stairs, climb them and carefully walk over the levitating, broken column. The stone is located next to the corpse on the edge of the platform, above the abyss.
- You’ll find this stone in Crumbling Farum Azula, near the site of grace, Dragon Temple Rooftop. Moving forward, you’ll encounter another dragon. Defeat him and you’ll receive the stone.
Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones list
The Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are essential items in Elden Ring, used to upgrade special weapons to their maximum level of +10. Unlike regular smithing stones, there are only eight Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones available in a single playthrough, making them a rare and valuable resource for players looking to enhance their unique armaments. These stones can be found through exploration, completing specific questlines, or defeating formidable enemies. Notably, they serve as the final upgrade step for special weapons, allowing players to unlock their full potential in the challenging world of the Lands Between.
- Reward for completing the Latenna the Albinauric questline.
- You’ll find this stone in Consecrated Snowfield, south of site of grace, Ordina, Liturgical Town. In the region near the frozen river, you’ll be attacked by Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater. Defeat her and she will drop the stone.
- You’ll find this stone in Mohgwyn Palace, near the site of grace, Dynasty Mausoleum Entrance. In front of the elevator leading to the boss, there is a statue in front of which a group of opponents is praying. The stone is located near the statue.
- You’ll find this stone in Crumbling Farum Azula, near the site of grace, Dragon Temple Rooftop. On your way to the end of the location, you’ll be attacked by a dragon (the same one that drops the ancient dragon smithing stone #13). There is a round structure with a stone in it just behind the enemy.
- You’ll find this stone in Leyndell, Ashen Capital, after defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade. From the site of grace, Leyndell, Ashen Capital, head towards the huge corps of a dragon. Under the corpse there are ruins of a building and a ladder – climb it. Moving forward, on the right side behind the railing you’ll notice an empty area patrolled by a gargoyle. There is a corpse with a stone next to it.
- You’ll find this stone in Miquella’s Haligtree. Starting from the site of grace, Prayer Room, go forward to the end of the terrace, then jump over the railing to the right, landing on the stone arch below you. Jump down to the platform with a small gazebo, then climb onto a similar arch on the other side. At the top of the arch, there is a small room with a chest containing the stone.
- You’ll find this stone in Miquella’s Haligtree. Starting from the site of grace, Prayer Room, exit through the door opposite and immediately jump off the terrace to the right. You need to reach the wall that is guarded by Putrid Avatar. At the end of the wall there is a corpse with a stone next to it.
- You can obtain this stone after completing the Millicent questline by allying with her and defeating Malenia, Blade of Miquella. After using the site of grace, Malenia, Goddess of Rot, insert the gold needle received from Millicent into the large flower. As a reward, you’ll receive Miquella’s Needle and the stone. You can miss it – the stone will become unavailable if you betray Millicent.
What are the best weapons to upgrade with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones
When it comes to upgrading weapons with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones in Elden Ring, choosing the right armaments to enhance is crucial due to the limited availability of these powerful upgrade materials. Here are some of the best weapons to consider for maxing out:
Top Weapons to Upgrade with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones
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Moonveil
- Type: Katana
- Scaling: B in Dexterity and Intelligence
- Special Features: Known for its exceptional weapon art, which deals both physical and magical damage, along with blood loss potential, making it a versatile choice for many builds.
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Dark Moon Greatsword
- Type: Greatsword
- Scaling: B in Intelligence
- Special Features: This weapon has a unique weapon art that allows for ranged magical attacks and builds frost damage, making it effective against various enemies.
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Hand of Malenia
- Type: Katana
- Scaling: B in Dexterity
- Special Features: Features the powerful Waterfowl Dance weapon art, which can deal significant damage and inflict blood loss, ideal for aggressive playstyles.
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Golden Order Greatsword
- Type: Greatsword
- Scaling: B in Faith
- Special Features: Offers great holy damage and has a weapon art that can deal substantial area damage, making it effective against groups of enemies.
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Black Knife
- Type: Dagger
- Scaling: B in Dexterity
- Special Features: This weapon excels in critical hits and has a unique weapon art that saps enemy health, providing both offensive and defensive advantages.
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Marika’s Hammer
- Type: Hammer
- Scaling: B in Strength
- Special Features: High damage output with a powerful area-of-effect weapon art, making it effective against multiple foes at once.
These weapons not only benefit from the enhanced scaling provided by the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones but also possess unique abilities that can significantly impact gameplay, allowing players to tailor their combat style effectively.
Which weapons have the best weapon arts when upgraded with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones
When upgraded with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, several weapons in Elden Ring stand out due to their exceptional weapon arts. Here are some of the best choices that not only benefit from the maximum upgrade but also feature powerful and unique abilities:
Best Weapons with Top Weapon Arts
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Moonveil
- Type: Katana
- Weapon Art: Transient Moonlight
- Description: This weapon art allows for a powerful slash that deals both physical and magical damage, making it incredibly versatile. It also has a high blood loss potential, making it a favorite among players who prefer agility and speed in combat.
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Hand of Malenia
- Type: Katana
- Weapon Art: Waterfowl Dance
- Description: Renowned for its stunning visual effect and effectiveness in combat, this weapon art unleashes a series of rapid slashes that can devastate enemies. It also inflicts blood loss, enhancing its lethality against tougher foes.
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Dark Moon Greatsword
- Type: Greatsword
- Weapon Art: Moonlight Greatsword
- Description: This weapon art allows players to unleash a wave of frost damage, providing both ranged and melee capabilities. It excels in dealing damage while also causing frost build-up, making it effective against various enemy types.
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Golden Order Greatsword
- Type: Greatsword
- Weapon Art: Oath of Vengeance
- Description: This weapon art not only deals significant holy damage but also enhances the wielder’s abilities temporarily, making it a strategic choice for both offensive and defensive playstyles.
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Black Knife
- Type: Dagger
- Weapon Art: Black Knife Tiche
- Description: This weapon art allows the user to sap health from enemies while dealing significant critical damage. It is particularly effective in boss fights, as it diminishes the target’s maximum health temporarily.
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Marika’s Hammer
- Type: Hammer
- Weapon Art: Wave of Destruction
- Description: Known for its area-of-effect attack, this weapon art can deal massive damage to multiple enemies at once, making it ideal for crowd control situations.
These weapons not only gain significant power when upgraded with Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones but also feature unique arts that enhance their combat effectiveness, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences in the challenging world of Elden Ring.
